Day. Central Park. Jake sat on the bench waiting for someone who asked him to meet in person. He's been waiting about half and hours then the person he should meet arrive with guilt.
Jake turns to face Lee Herman standing not far from him. He gets up. "I'm sorry". Silence. Jake is confused and why Lee Herman apologized to him.
"I'm sorry that I pushed you down that night. I'm sorry that you.. bones fracture. I'm sorry for everything, it was me all along".
With that. Without hesitation, Jake punches Lee Herman that he didn't fight back.
Moments later. Bleeding Lee Herman a.k.a Victor Gibson, Jake settled down on the same bench. Not looking good but in a calm position.
Jake nodded his head for no reason. "So where have you been all these years?"
"I took my punishment". Jake turns to him. "Sticking my life behind the bars".
"How do you get out?"
"Good behaved". Gibson smiled, his eyes met Jake. "I confess everything I've done, the murdered, abducted.."
"Including Emma?" Gibson nod yes. "Your fucking psycho sick man I've ever met. You destroyed people's lives just like that, as you wanted. You destroyed Belle's life.. so she can stay beside you. That's not love that raped!"
"Yes. But our marriage is still under law. Yet, we didn't divorce. I show them the papers, everything.. she is still my wife".
Jake shakes his head. "Not anymore.. I want her to be my wife. So I ask you to let her go!"
"You can't decide. She's the one who should".
"What if she wants a divorce from you?" ask Jake. "Should you becoming obsession, stalking murdered snake?!"
Gibson's smile shakes his head no. He spoke back. "I have a child with her. As long as she didn't ask me to stay away from my own child.. I won't do anything to hurt my family".
"I won't believe the twins will accept you, who you are.. Gibson".
"I won't force them. I'm still their dad".
"You raped their mother! And you suggest you act innocent?"
Gibson breathed heavily. He knew he'd make a big mistake abduction, raped, forced marriage. This is not what Belle wants in her life. When she does.. he pushes her away.
"That's why I'm here. After my release from prison, I worked in restaurants.. I ask my friends, not Craig. He doesn't know anything about me being alive. Searching for Belle.. and they found she lived in New York, so I quit my job and became my kids' school gardener".
"Just like that..? I don't believe you. You almost killed me once!"
"Doesn't matter if you believe me or not". Gibson smiles, pointing at his bruised Jake punches him right in the face. "You are strong, Jake. I can feel my ribs breaking into four broken ribs. I healed fast. Don't bother".
Both men stay in silence for moments. Thinking about what to say next.
Minutes passed, Gibson spoke back. "If you want Belle.. I can't stop you from taking her away from me, just not my kids".
Jake eyes on Gibson. "Just not them. I want to spend the rest of my life with my twins. I want to know them better as a father I deserve to be. I want them to know what kind of dad they are".
"I bet they know already".
"True. That is why I ask you.. I couldn't give Belle the happiness she wanted. But you can. She loved you from the beginning, not me. I read her eyes.. she will never forget about you. I hurt her.. I hurt her so many times. And I can't hurt her anymore".
Gibson smiles sadly. Continue. "Love her Jake. You are Belle. I'm just a Boogeyman who gives her the worst nightmare. So, I ask you this.. make her happy and I'll be gone".
Jake's apartment. Night. Make her happy and I'll be gone..
Gibson words keep haunting his mind. What does he mean by that? He tries to break the codes with Gibson words but he can't.
So what Jake thought, Gibson will divorce Belle and he married her after that. Then what happened to Vincent and Poppy?
Will Gibson separate them from their mother they grew up with?
Jake spanked his body on the sofa as his mind kept repeating Gibson's words. Did Gibson really mean that...
"What do you want, Dr. Craig?" Betty stared at him. He invited her for dinner, not a special dinner but.. "Look, that night. That kiss wasn't meant to be.. that bitch hurt my Belle. You're lucky that bitch still alive out there!"
Betty growled as Craig had nothing to say. "Dude? You're weak! How can you fall in love with that bloody blondie chicken shit you choose to be your wife? Don't you see? She's not a woman but a monster she created herself".
She shakes her head unbelievable. Craig still hadn't an answer for that. "So what are you huh? Mute man? I'm asking you.."
"I'm suddenly in love with you". Whisper Craig.
"NO! This is not the kind of love you'll think. This is Bullshit! I'd never like you, I don't care who you are!"
Craig stares at her brown eyes, said. "Then I'll wait for you".
"Even if I died? Seriously! You're drunk!"
"I hadn't touched anything". He pointed at the glass. Plain water. "I'm at work, I can't drink".
"Neither do I. My job is dangerous, how many times I had to say. I don't have time for love, not even myself. Belle understands me, why don't you..?"
Betty pushed her chair, walked out without turning to look at him. She really left Craig behind without he could answer her back.
Belle was right. Betty was right. Her jobs are dangerous, she probably doesn't want someone she loves to die because of her jobs. Being an FBI agent doesn't guarantee your life.
But she could try to fit it. Feel how love was made. True love. A true love had to find true love first kiss. Shit! That wasn't a Disney princess movie.
Without ordering any food, he watched her leave. He followed behind but separated ways. Betty goes back to the office, gets her files that she signed for new cases in Las Vegas.
Craig walks to the beach calmly, his mind down. This isn't the end, he thought. He must confess his love properly to Betty so she can have his trust from heart.
But how?
School ground. Day. Gibson is still working as a gardener. He's waiting for Vincent and Poppy to show up, he sees Belle's car park aside in a rush as the school bell rings, the twins quickly running inside the building without looking at him.
He caught Belle's eyes, so did she. She approached him without a smile. "Just pretend we've never met. It feels awkward".
"I understand". He smiled. Belle turns her feet. "Thank you". Gibson word makes Belle stop then turn to him back. "Thank you for not giving up on them".
"I try not to. They're innocent, they don't know anything. I shouldn't kill. I'm not like you".
Resuming her walk, he stopped her again. "You're the most beautiful woman I've married. Perfect mother to my child".
She resumed her walk back to the car. She drove the car and did not make eye contact with Gibson. He watched her smile.
Lunchtime. Students are busy eating at the canteen. Poppy makes her own way to Gibson with food trays in her hand, she knows where Gibson used to hang out alone.
Back of the school building eating his sandwich all by himself. Gently she approached behind him, still working with his axes.
"Ehem.." Poppy cleared her throat. He smiles. "Can I have.. I mean can I sit here?" He smiled at the stumps. "Thank you".
Totally awkward. The man standing right in front of her who she knew just transferred from restaurants to school gardener, a man she doesn't know what kind of life he had before, is now her father.
Her real father that she hopes he is, standing right in front of her by accident. Gibson studied her as she hadn't touched her food since she brought it from the canteen. She sat there silent without a word.
Gibson smiles again. Remind Poppy to her mother Belle. Belle always likes this if she hesitates to ask him something. Or something else she wants from him.
He walks closer to her, drops both his knees on the ground, bending at her level. Poppy started on her plate.
"Are you afraid of me, Poppy?" He asked. "Don't be. I'm your friend, remember".
She looked up with a sad face. "Before I sleep, at night I always pray and wish to know my dad. When mom told us about your life, what you've done.. I think it wasn't your fault because you are so in love with mom. Until mom has us, and you're gone. I mean ''died".
"I'm sorry".
She shakes her head. "Don't be. I always wanted to have a dad in real life. And here you are standing right front of me.. alive, perfect". She cried. "So I'm asking you.. please don't leave us again..."
She dropped her tray on the ground. She hugs Gibson tightly, her arm wrapped around his neck. Both Gibson and Poppy were in tears.
For the first time Gibson held his own daughter that he dreamt, longing for so long, in his arms and for the first time.. Poppy hugs her father for real.
Her prayers have been granted by God. She has her dad back.
"I'll never leave you, Vincent and your mom... I'll promise". as he kissed the side of her head. "I'll promise..".
Up the building. From the window, there Vincent stood.. staring down to his sister who was hugging, suddenly Lee Herman became a father to him and Poppy.
It wasn't an accident. Lee Herman chose to stay. He chose to search them everywhere, he knew.. he knew all along. Until the time comes. It happened right now.
A complete family reunion.